Boxing champion and Pensacola native Roy Jones Jr. steps into the ring for the final time in his storied career during the Island Fights 46 in Pensacola on Thursday, February 8, 2018.
Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

In the same arena where Roy Jones Jr. began his decorated professional boxing career 29 years ago, he ended it Thursday night in a desired way.

In a farewell complete with emotions and his own 49-year-old grit, Jones defeated Scott Sigmon in a 10-round, unanimous decision in their cruiserweight fight at Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center.

"It started a long time ago," said Jones, a Booker T. Washington High graduate, reflecting on a career that started as a young amateur, then went from the heartbreak of the 1988 Olympics into winning world championships in five different weight classes.

His first pro fight was May 6, 1989, in a second-round TKO win against Ricky Randall.

His legacy will include going from middleweight champion to a heavyweight champion — a feat not matched in 106 years.

"Back when I was running these streets of Pensacola, jogging every day. And here we come full circle and it's almost like a dream come true, " Jones said.

"I accomplished far more than I thought I could have planned to accomplish. That's because I wasn't on my plan, I was on God's plan."

Jones, who revealed after the fight he tore his left bicep two weeks ago in training and didn't spar in final days of preparations, still had enough to outpoint the 30-year-old Sigmon and win by unanimous decision. All three judges scored it 98-92.

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

In the 75th fight of his boxing career, which spans nearly 30 years, 49-year-old Roy Jones Jr., red tape, takes on Scott Sigmon during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Jones Jr. won by unanimous decision and finished out his career at 66-9-0 with 47 KOs.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Ikram Kerwat, red tape, takes on Angel Gladney during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Kerwat won by unanimous decision and also became the new WBU lightweight world champion.
Jody Link/online@pnj.com

One last time in the main event, Jones flashed traces of the skills that carried him into a hall of fame career. A crowd of 4,200, according to Bay Center officials, saw Jones smile between throwing combinations and playing to the crowd as he often did 20 years ago in his prime.

The fight was broadcast worldwide on the UFC Fight Pass digital streaming service. It was the first time the Ultimate Fight Championship organization had aired a boxing event. Two of the other five fights shown at Island Fights to the subscribers were also boxing events.

While Jones left the door open for a fight against former UFC star Anderson Silva, 42, who is suspended for testing positive for a performance enhancing drug, he sounded like a man ready to say goodbye.

That fight would not be in Pensacola and likely not in the U.S. if it should happen at all.

"Thank you to everybody who had anything to do with my career... good, bad, ugly, I don't really care what it was," Jones said. "We all went through hard times. There are ups and there are downs,"

Jones stayed in control against Sigmon (30-12-3), who resides in Lynchburg, Virginia.

A shot from Jones in the first round cut open Sigmon's right eye in the first round. But Sigmon kept forcing Jones to the ropes, kept trading punches, and kept the suspense until the end.

Roy Jones Jr. during the final fight of his career at the Island Fights at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018.(Photo: Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com)

The two fighters embraced and joined together in post-fight press conference at the Bay Center. Sigmon said he steppe help fill a fight on Jones' undercard on Feb. 18, 2017 in Wilmington, Delaware. That night, Jones posted his 47th knockout in a crusierweight win against Bobby Gunn.

"A dream come true for me," Sigmon said, nodding over to Jones at the podium. (Jones) told me if I ever needed a favor,let him know. I mentioned (fighting Jones) at light heavyweight and he said he would never make light heavyweight again (166-178 pounds), so I decided to gain 20 pounds and get in the ring with Roy Jones Jr.

"Roy, i really appreciate you man. It is something I will never forget.. Thank you so much."

Roy Jones Jr. prepares for his final fight of his career at the Island Fights at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018.(Photo: Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com)

It was the 75th fight of Jones' career and 24th time he has fought in Pensacola, including 11 times at the Bay Center.

If this becomes his final boxing event, Jones finished with wins in 12 of his last 13 bouts, after a shocking trio of losses.

Sigmon, whose career has been a mix of club venues and high school gyms and much larger settings like MGM Grand in Las Vegas, last fought in August 2017 in Lynchburg with a unanimous decision win.

"Scott, you are a tough dude," said Jones, nodding at Sigmon. "I appreciate you came in as a professional and gave it all you had.

Roy Jones Jr. is announced the winner by decision of the final fight of his career at the Island Fights at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018.(Photo: Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com)

The main event was the finale of an eight-fight card. Five of the fights were part of the UFC Fight Pass broadcast. The card had five boxing fights, three Mixed Martial Arts bouts.

In the main event for MMA, Pensacola's Max Mustaki pulled off a dramatic win against Socrates Pierre, which could land Mustaki a bigger fight in the future. Mustaki, who trains with Roy Jones Sr., dropped Pierre then began pummeling his face when the fight was stopped at 418 of the first round.

Preceding that bout, Pensacola's Devin Cushing won a six-round unanimous decision against Tommy Bryant in a lightweight bout. In honor of Jones, Cushing wore the same design aqua shorts Jones sported for his pro debut in 1989.

In the second fight aired on Fight Pass, rising MMA star Michael Davis won by TKO over Montrel James at 2:22 of the first round.

In a women's title bout, Tunisia native and Germany resident Ikram Kerwat, who is being trained by Jones Jr., won the WBU lightweight title bout against Angel Gladney by unanimous decision with Jones working her corner about 90 minutes before his fight.

Kerwat has traveled to Pensacola numerous times for extensive periods to work out and spar at Jones' private facility adjacent to his home.

Ikram Kerwat, who trains with Roy Jones Jr., throws a right hand in her fight against Angel Gladney of Columbia, South Carolina. Kerwat won a unanimous decision to claim the WBU women's lightweight title.(Photo: Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com)

In the three non-televised bouts, Dustin Clements, a Gulf Breeze High graduate and former UWF basketball player (2011-12) lost a majority decision to Kem Oti from Huntsville Alabama.

In the second figh of the night, Hanna Goldy, who has fought before on Island Fights cards, stopped Vanessa Grimes at 2:39 of the second round.

Goldy is married to Alex Nicholson, who has been a main event on Island Fights events.

After the fight, Nicholson brought her the couple’s 7-month old son, Odin. The infant boy smiled as Goldy raised her hand in triumph.

In the third fight, the last before the UFC Fight Pass began its digital live stream broadcast, Brok Weaver won a split decision against Charles Bennett.

After the decision was announced, Bennett, of Ocala, feigned he was fainting and drop backwards in disbelief.